Getting Garter Snakes on dead food
- Thread starter Bottomfeeder
- Start date
Bump, the Snake refused all attemps at feeding dead food, so today I caved and gave him worms, which he also refused. Next step is force feeding 
Bottomfeeder;3803351; said:Bump, the Snake refused all attemps at feeding dead food, so today I caved and gave him worms, which he also refused. Next step is force feeding
Cant you feed it fish like rosy reds ,goldfish which it should take than slowly wean it over using scenting or simply putting worms,pinkie with the rosy reds.
Honestly, I don't think I could feed it feeders. I wouldn't have the guts to do it... I didn't even like attempting worms. I'm starting to wonder if he maybe ate already. He pooped on me on Thursday, and he hasn't lost ANY weight since I got him... on New Years Eve. I'm confuzzled
Bottomfeeder;3805012; said:
If he went Thu than he ate within that week . Force feeding a snake unless you truly have to and know what your doing is not a good idea.
If he wont eat than "get some guts" lol you know what I mean and feed him feeders than you slowly wean him over.
Its just temporary . I think garters need to eat with greater frequency than rodent eaters . Others here who keep garters would know more than I .
If it bothers you that much see if your dad or a friend can do it for now till you wean him over. Its just a temp thing.
Tong feed him. You also need to be feeding him in a seperate container if you plan on handling him.
If you are trying to feed him in his normal habitat that might be one problem especially seeing as how most petstores (Not Breeders) feed in seperate containers to avoid snake bites around feeding time.
basically what i do is i put him in a smaller container (No need for a lid) that will fit in his 55 gallon tank.
take some food on the tongs and just basically touch his nose with it a time or 2 then draw away slowly.
normally this will get em going and they will eat.
after they have swallowed whatever it is all the way then you take the small container put it in there cage wait till they leave it on there own and remove it.
just my .02
(PS i have a corn snake so its different but the same general rules apply)
If you are trying to feed him in his normal habitat that might be one problem especially seeing as how most petstores (Not Breeders) feed in seperate containers to avoid snake bites around feeding time.
basically what i do is i put him in a smaller container (No need for a lid) that will fit in his 55 gallon tank.
take some food on the tongs and just basically touch his nose with it a time or 2 then draw away slowly.
normally this will get em going and they will eat.
after they have swallowed whatever it is all the way then you take the small container put it in there cage wait till they leave it on there own and remove it.
just my .02
(PS i have a corn snake so its different but the same general rules apply)
If a garter is refusing trout and earthworms,they may be something wrong! Couple of things: They are normally hibernating at this time,What are your temperatures? Also,although many people dont,i like to treat them more like lizards,with UV and a guarded basking spot-light.You could also try a defrost pinkie.
I have a light on one side of the tank, which is over an upended flowerpot, and a water dish on the other.
Based on the fact that he...err...pooped on me, and how long he's gone without losing any weight, and how he turned down live food right in front of him... do you think he might've ate already?
I put the worms in the fridge to liven them a bit.
I put the worms in the fridge to liven them a bit.
